countyscore
48.4
County Score
Cost of Living 90Property Tax 79.3Disaster Risk 67.1

County Report Card

About Desha County, Arkansas

Desha County near the national median

Desha County's composite score of 47.4 sits just below the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 45th percentile. The county ranks close to average on livability compared to U.S. counties.

Right at Arkansas's state average

At 47.4, Desha County scores virtually inline with Arkansas's state average of 47.9, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's county rankings. The county represents a typical Arkansas livability profile.

Exceptional housing affordability and decent schools

Desha County excels in cost with a score of 87.3, median home value of $89,100, and rent at just $689/month—among the state's most affordable. The school score of 51.8 adds moderate educational appeal.

Income crisis and water quality concern

Desha County's income score of 1.1 reflects severe economic hardship with median household income of only $36,064—the lowest among these eight counties. Water quality also presents concerns with a score of 8.1, suggesting potential environmental issues.

Viable for retirees with outside income sources

Desha County suits retirees and remote workers with secure income sources seeking minimal housing costs. The ultra-low housing expenses and moderate school quality work for established households, but limited local employment and water concerns make it less suitable for job-seeking families.

2040608010079.39018.117.651.81.667.18.148.5Tax79.3Cost90Safety18.1Health17.6Schools51.8Income1.6Risk67.1Water8.1Weather48.548.4/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Desha County DNA

Foverall

How Desha County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Desha County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (90/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (8.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
79.3+27.299999999999997
Cost
90+42
Safety
18.1-36.9
Health
17.6-32.4
Schools
51.8
Income
1.6-49.4
Risk
67.1+20.099999999999994
Water
8.1-49.9
Weather
48.5
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Think property taxes are too high in Desha County?

Many homeowners in Desha County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$90,900

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$718/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$90,900/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$28,720/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $37,662/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

27.2

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

Power County
Idaho
Median income: $61,146
48.4
Covington County
Mississippi
Median income: $45,051
48.4
Toole County
Montana
Median income: $57,731
48.4
Vinton County
Ohio
Median income: $55,336
48.4
Northampton County
Pennsylvania
Median income: $89,184
48.4
Dorchester County
South Carolina
Median income: $78,198
48.4
Dickson County
Tennessee
Median income: $75,003
48.4
Baldwin County
Alabama
Median income: $78,775
48.5

Nearby counties

Bolivar County
Mississippi
32.6
Arkansas County
Arkansas
35.9
Lincoln County
Arkansas
52.6
Coahoma County
Mississippi
45.2
Phillips County
Arkansas
35.3
Sunflower County
Mississippi
45.4
Drew County
Arkansas
46.6
Chicot County
Arkansas
51.8

Deep Dives

Desha County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Desha County

via TaxByCounty

Desha County taxes rank among nation's lowest

Desha County's effective tax rate of 0.580% places it well below the national median tax burden, with median annual taxes of just $517 against the national median of $2,690. Property owners here enjoy exceptional affordability by national standards.

Above state average, lower home values

Desha County's 0.582% effective rate sits about 9% above the Arkansas state average of 0.532%, placing it in the upper-middle tier statewide. However, with median home values of only $89,100—among the state's lowest—the median tax of $517 remains modest in absolute dollars.

Mid-range rate for southeast Arkansas

Desha's 0.580% rate falls between Cross County (0.552%) and Crittenden County (0.602%), positioning it as a moderate tax burden in the region. The county's lower median home value creates one of the lowest absolute tax bills in its immediate surroundings.

Median Desha County home costs $517 yearly

A homeowner with the county's median-valued property of $89,100 pays approximately $517 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, that obligation can rise to $559; without one, it falls to $448.

Challenge your assessment if overvalued

Desha County homeowners should verify their assessed values match recent comparable sales in the local market. If your property is assessed higher than fair market value, a formal appeal to the assessor offers a pathway to lower tax liability.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Desha County

via IncomeByCounty

Desha County faces extreme income disparity

Desha County's median household income of $36,064 sits a staggering $38,691 below the national median of $74,755—a 52% gap, the largest in this survey. The county earns 29% below Arkansas's state average, placing it among the nation's most economically challenged areas.

Desha ranks last among Arkansas counties

Desha County records the lowest median household income in this eight-county sample and ranks among the lowest statewide. Decades of agricultural decline and limited economic diversification have compounded systemic challenges.

Desha significantly trails all peer counties

Desha's $36,064 median income falls behind every comparison county: Dallas ($44,694), Drew ($41,071), Cross ($47,012), Franklin ($51,919), and Crawford ($60,362). This isolation reflects acute local economic stress.

Housing costs consume critical income share

At 22.9%, Desha's rent-to-income ratio is dangerously high, pushing 75% of households into cost-burdened housing situations. Combined with other essentials, median-earning Desha families struggle to meet basic needs, let alone save.

Seek resources and economic mobility programs

Desha families facing severe income constraints should connect with local nonprofits, workforce development programs, and financial assistance resources first. Wealth building comes later—immediate stability and income growth are the priority.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Desha County

via CrimeByCounty

Desha County Outperforms National Averages

Desha County boasts a total crime rate of 2,179.9 per 100,000, which is lower than the national average of 2,385.5. Its safety score of 96.6 reflects a secure environment for residents and visitors alike. This makes it one of the more statistically safe counties in the region.

A Leader in Arkansas Safety

The county's safety score of 96.6 exceeds the Arkansas state average of 96.3. Desha County's total crime rate is also lower than the state's average of 2,326.8. These metrics suggest that local law enforcement is highly effective at maintaining order.

A Reliable Neighbor for Public Safety

Desha's crime rate of 2,179.9 is significantly lower than Dallas County's 3,507.4. It shares a similar safety profile with Drew County, maintaining the region's overall security. This consistency across several reporting agencies provides peace of mind for the local population.

Lower Property Crime Rates Locally

The property crime rate of 1,559.6 is well below the national average of 2,015.7. However, the violent crime rate of 620.3 is slightly higher than the national benchmark of 369.8. This means while your belongings are safer here, personal safety still requires attention.

Maintaining a Safe Home in Desha

While property crime is low, maintaining your home’s security helps keep those numbers down. Installing well-placed lighting and keeping landscaping trimmed can deter unwanted activity. Your participation in community safety helps Desha maintain its high rank.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Desha County

via WeatherByCounty

Deep South Warmth in Desha County

Desha County records an annual average temperature of 63.5°F, which is 9.5 degrees warmer than the national median. This reflects the intense, humid climate of the lower Mississippi Delta region.

One of Arkansas's Warmest Counties

The county's average temperature of 63.5°F sits 2.5 degrees above the state average of 61.0°F. It ranks among the hottest counties in Arkansas, especially during the long summer months.

Transitioning to the Southern Heat Tier

Desha is notably warmer than Crittenden to the north, which averages 62.2°F. It is slightly cooler than Drew County to the west, which hits an average of 64.1°F.

High Heat and Minimal Winter Snow

The region endures 72 extreme heat days annually, and winter provides little relief with only 0.6 inches of snow. January remains mild with an average temperature of 43.3°F.

Essential Heat Safety and Moisture Control

With 72 days of extreme heat, cooling centers and hydration are vital for outdoor workers. Minimal snowfall means winter tires are rarely needed, but humidity management is a year-round home concern.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Desha County

via SoilByCounty

High-performing soils with neutral pH

Desha County earns an impressive soil score of 58.3, far exceeding the state average of 37.7. The average pH of 6.30 is nearly optimal, sitting just below the national median of 6.5. This chemical balance supports high nutrient availability for most commercial and garden plants.

Heavy textures for maximum retention

The soil is a heavy mix of 52.4% silt and 34.3% clay, with only 13.3% sand. This composition creates a dense, nutrient-rich environment that excels at holding onto fertilizers. While it can be heavy to dig, the high clay content provides an excellent structural base for crops.

Superior moisture holding capacity

The available water capacity of 0.181 in/in is well above the state average of 0.148 in/in. Organic matter sits at 1.96%, providing a solid foundation for soil life. These factors combine to create a highly fertile environment that withstands dry Arkansas summers better than neighboring regions.

Managing water in delta soils

While specific drainage classes are not listed, the high silt and clay content indicates slow natural drainage. This soil is prone to holding water, which is a benefit for rice production but a challenge for building foundations. Proper grading is essential to manage moisture effectively on this land.

Extended growing in zone 8b

Desha County is in hardiness zone 8b, the warmest zone in this group. This allows for an exceptionally long growing season and the potential for overwintering many semi-hardy plants. The rich, heavy soil is perfect for producing high yields of okra, melons, and sweet potatoes.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Desha County

via LawnByCounty

Hardy Turf Needed for Desha County

Desha County's lawn difficulty score of 36.3 is nearly identical to the Arkansas state average but remains tougher than the national median of 50.0. Located in hardiness zone 8b, this area demands heat-tolerant turf that can survive long, humid summers.

Maximum Heat and Extended Growth

With 72 extreme heat days and 5,697 growing degree days, the environment is aggressive for anything but the hardiest grasses. The 52.8 inches of rain provides a good base, but the high temperatures mean lawns require frequent, deep watering to survive.

Working with Heavy Clay Soils

The soil contains 34.3% clay, which creates a dense foundation that holds water but can become waterlogged easily. A pH of 6.30 is nearly perfect for most lawns, meaning the primary challenge is managing soil compaction rather than chemistry.

Extreme Drought Challenges

Currently, 97.3% of Desha County is experiencing severe drought, capping off a year with 30 weeks of dry conditions. To conserve water, homeowners should raise their mower height to provide shade for the soil and reduce evaporation.

Early Start for Zone 8b Lawns

With the last frost occurring early on March 12, homeowners can start their lawns sooner than most of the state. Because the first frost isn't until November 14, there is a massive window to establish heat-loving species like Centipede or Zoysia.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Desha County's county score?
Desha County, Arkansas has a composite county score of 48.4 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Desha County rank among counties in Arkansas?
Desha County ranks #37 among all counties in Arkansas on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Desha County, Arkansas?
The median annual property tax in Desha County is $493, with an effective tax rate of 0.54%. This earns Desha County a tax score of 79.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Desha County?
The median household income in Desha County, Arkansas is $37,662 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Desha County earns an income score of 1.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Desha County, Arkansas a good place to live?
Desha County scores 48.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #37 in Arkansas. The best way to evaluate Desha County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Desha County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.